Diane de Poitiers

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Diane de Poitiers

Diane de Poitiers , 1499-1566, duchess of Valentinois, mistress of King Henry II of France. Noted for her beauty, Diane, who was much older than Henry, retained her influence over him until his death (1559). She maintained friendly relations with the queen, Catherine de' Medici, while completely eclipsing her. In the rivalry for Henry's favor between Anne, duc de Montmorency , and the Guise family, she took sides against whichever party was more powerful at the moment. She supported the king's anti-Protestant policy. After Henry's death, she was forced to retire from the court.

Bibliography: See H. W. Henderson, The Enchantress (1928).

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Diane de Poitiers, duchesse de Valentinois

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Â© A Dictionary of World History 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Diane de Poitiers, duchesse de Valentinois (1499–1566) Mistress of HENRY II of France. She came to court during the reign of Francis I (1515–47) and Prince Henry, 20 years her junior, fell passionately in love with her. On his accession she became queen in all but name displacing Henry's wife, Catherine de Medici. A beautiful and cultured woman, she was friend and patron of poets and artists. She played little part in politics, contenting herself with augmenting her income and providing for her family. On Henry's death (1559) Catherine forced her to surrender the crown jewels and banished her to Chaumont.

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"Diane de Poitiers, duchesse de Valentinois." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-DianedePoitrsdchssdVlntns.html

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	A royal ruckus: Princess Michael, candid to a fault, caps off another round of bad publicity with a new book.(Eye) Magazine article from: W; 9/1/2004; ; 700+ words ; The 19th-century authors who embellished Diane [de Poitiers]'s story didn't let the truth stand in the way...homely but fertile wife, Catherine de Medici, and Diane de Poitiers, a stylish widow old enough to be Henry's mother...
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